Folkestone and Hythe

Folkestone and Hythe's population expanded in the decade to 2011. Data from the census show there were changes in housing tenure.

The population passed 100,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Folkestone and Hythe increased by 12%, from just over 96,200 to 108,000.

The addition of almost 12,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Folkestone and Hythe was home to, on average, 2.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More people living alone

This area saw the South East's largest rise in the proportion of single-person households.

Across the region, Vale of White Horse saw the next largest increase in the proportion of single-person households (from 24% in 2001 to 26% in 2011).

During this period, Folkestone and Hythe overtook six local authority areas, including Lewes and Isle of Wight, to become the South East local authority area with the eighth-highest percentage of single-person households.

In 2011, just over one in three (33%) households in Folkestone and Hythe had only a single person, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage with an unmarried couple increased from 8.4% to 10%.

The percentage of households with only a single-person was higher than across the South East

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw the South East's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Across the region, only Rother saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 10% to 13%).

During this period, Folkestone and Hythe overtook Brighton and Hove, Milton Keynes and Portsmouth to become the South East local authority area with the seventh-highest percentage of people who had divorced or separated.

In 2011, just under one in seven (14%) people aged 16 and over in Folkestone and Hythe said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 12% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 53% to 47%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

This area saw the South East's second-largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

Across the region, only Rother saw a greater rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care (from 2.2% to 3.0%).

Every local authority area across the South East saw a rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, as the regional average grew from 1.7% to 2.0%.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (2.9%) in Folkestone and Hythe reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.2% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.0% to 1.5%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Folkestone and Hythe remained close to 2.9%

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Folkestone and Hythe by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Folkestone and Hythe that rented privately increased from 13% to 22% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in nine (11%) households lived in social housing, compared with 12% in 2001. The percentage of Folkestone and Hythe households that owner their home decreased from 72% to 65%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Folkestone and Hythe increased by 9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Folkestone and Hythe, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Folkestone and Hythe residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.4% to 6.4% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (78%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 66% in 2001. The percentage of Folkestone and Hythe residents that described their health as fair decreased from 25% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Folkestone and Hythe decreased by 3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Folkestone and Hythe, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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